Remembering 9/11: Donors roll up their sleeves

By Linda Ellerbe Fort Bragg BDC

Thursday

Sep 19, 2013 at 12:01 AMSep 19, 2013 at 9:46 AM

In remembrance of 9/11, a steady stream of donors at the Fort Bragg Blood Donor Center stopped by to roll up their sleeves and donate blood. Some of the Soldiers, Airmen and their Family members were first-time donors while others were regular donors at the center. However, no matter how many times they’ve donated previously, they all had one thing in common — they wanted to do something special on this day.

“Why not do something special today,” said Cathie Lutz. She and her husband, Edwin, are regular donors at the Fort Bragg Blood Donor Center. In fact Cathie is a two gallon donor. “It’s just a good thing to do.”

Over the course of the day, Soldiers and Family members from the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment rolled up their sleeves to donate. Friends Katie Bodo and Kara Shelts both have husbands assigned to the 1st Battalion, 505th PIR.

“I passed out after my last donation when I was in high school,” said Bodo, who was a little hesitant at first. “I made sure I ate a good meal before donating today.”

Staff members at the Fort Bragg Blood Donor Center assured Bodo that she wouldn’t pass out this time.

“It’s 9/11, and I just want to give blood to someone who might need it,” said Bodo, who said she was excited to complete her first donation to the Armed Services Blood Program.

The ASBP is a tri-service organization that supplies blood and blood products to servicemembers, retirees and their Families. Blood has a very limited shelf life and it must be collected regularly to be available when needed.

Beverly Reed, who was a regular blood donor with a civilian organization while she was stationed in Alaska with her Family, also stopped by the Fort Bragg Blood Donor Center to donate.

“I was going to go off post but decided against it,” said Reed. “When I lived in Alaska, the civilian organization collected on post. I am glad to know that Fort Bragg has its own blood donor center. It’s nice to know where your blood is going.”

To find out more about the Armed Services Blood Program or to schedule an appointment, please visit online: www.militaryblood.dod.mil.

To interact directly with some ASBP staff, see more photos or to get the latest news, visit www.facebook.com/militaryblood, www.flickr.com/militaryblood, and www.twitter.com/militaryblood.